Western Michigan hockey falls to No. 12 in USCHO.com poll

Brett Beier | Special to the GazetteWestern Michigan forward Ian Slater battles with Michigan State defenseman Matt Crandell for the puck on Nov. 11. All three teams the Broncos have lost to on their four-game skid are ranked, with the Spartans coming in at No. 20 in this week's USCHO.com poll. WMU will try to snap its skid against No. 2-ranked Notre Dame Tuesday night.

Western Michigan University's schedule seems to be getting some credit as the Broncos have lost four games in a row, but are ranked No. 12 in the USCHO.com poll and No. 13 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, both released Monday.

All three teams WMU (6-4-3) has lost to are ranked in the top 20, with the most recent opponent, Notre Dame, ranked No. 2 in this week's USCHO.com poll.

The Irish, who defeated then No. 3-ranked Boston College 3-2 in overtime on Friday, travel to Lawson Ice Arena Tuesday to complete the two game series with the Broncos.